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Thermal Management Structures for Battery Packs

a technology of battery packs and management structures, applied in the direction of cell components, electrochemical generators, cell component details, etc., can solve the problems of premature cell degradation and failure, thermal management problems, and compounding problems

Inactive Publication Date: 2013-07-18
NEOGRAF SOLUTIONS LLC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention relates to a battery pack that includes a plurality of cylindrical battery cells and heat spreaders. The heat spreaders include a graphite sheet that extends at least substantially the entire longitudinal length of the battery cells and the entire length of a linear row of battery cells. A single heat spreader contacts at least a portion of the radial outer surface of each cylindrical battery in the row. This design helps to improve the heat transfer and dissipation in the battery pack.

Problems solved by technology

When grouping together multiple battery cells, thermal management issues are presented.
However the heat generated during high rate charging and discharging can cause the temperature of the cells to quickly rise out of this range, leading to premature cell degradation and failure.
This problem is compounded when multiple cells are assembled tightly in large battery packs with relatively small surface area to volume ratios.
However, the temperature regulation performance of these configurations is limited by the area over which the air can flow.

Method used

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  • Thermal Management Structures for Battery Packs
  • Thermal Management Structures for Battery Packs
  • Thermal Management Structures for Battery Packs

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

first embodiment

[0042]With reference now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a battery pack is shown and generally indicated by the numeral 10. Battery pack 10 includes a plurality of cylindrical battery cells 12 arranged in aligned rows. A heat spreader 14 made of graphite sheet material is wrapped around each battery cell in a manner which, as will be described below in greater detail, improves thermal performance. In one embodiment, the heat spreader 14 is generally tubular and extends longitudinally substantially the entire longitudinal length of the battery cell 12. In other embodiments, the heat spreader 14 is longer than the battery cell 12 so that a portion extends beyond battery cell 12 at one or both ends.

[0043]In cross-section, heat spreader 14 is generally piscine shaped, having a substantially semi-circular portion 16 with a diameter sized so that the interior surface of portion 16 is substantially flush with, and in thermal contact with, the radial outer surface of battery cell 12. A pair of curved leg...

second embodiment

[0045]With referenced now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a battery pack is shown and generally indicated by the numeral 100. Battery pack 100 includes a plurality of cylindrical battery cells 112 arranged in aligned rows. Each row may have any number of cells 112, and likewise, any number of rows may be employed. A heat spreader 114 made of graphite sheet material or extruded graphite is positioned around each battery cell 112 in a manner which, as will be described below in greater detail, improves thermal performance. In one embodiment, the heat spreader 114 is generally tubular and extends substantially the entire longitudinal length of the battery cell 112. In other embodiments, the heat spreader 114 is longer than the battery cell 112 so that it extends beyond battery cell 112 at one or both ends.

[0046]In cross-section, each heat spreader 114 includes is generally cruciform shaped, having four equidistant arced sections 116. Arced sections 116 include a radius sized so that the interior sur...

third embodiment

[0047]With referenced now to FIGS. 5 and 6, a battery pack is shown and generally indicated by the numeral 210. Battery pack 210 includes a plurality of cylindrical battery cells 212 arranged in aligned rows. Each row may have any number of cells 212, and likewise, any number of rows may be employed. A heat spreader 214 is made of graphite sheet material or extruded graphite and is positioned around each battery cell 212 in a manner which, as will be described below in greater detail, improves thermal performance. In one embodiment, the heat spreader 214 is generally tubular and extends substantially the entire longitudinal length of the battery cell 212. In other embodiments, the heat spreader 214 is longer than the battery cell 212 so that it extends beyond battery cell 212 at one or both ends.

[0048]In cross-section each heat spreader 214 includes a square outer wall 216. As can be seen in FIG. 6, a portion of the square outer wall 216 of each heat spreader 214 is arranged to be i...

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Abstract

A battery pack includes a plurality of cylindrical battery cells. Damage caused by thermal energy generated in the battery pack is minimized by a one or more graphite sheets in contact with a portion of each cylindrical battery cell.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM[0001]This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 388,844 filed on Oct. 1, 2010 and titled Thermal Management Structures for Battery Packs.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present disclosure relates to thermal management for cylindrical cell battery packs.BACKGROUND[0003]Modern devices are increasingly depending on rechargeable batteries to provide operational power. Whether the device is a vehicle or a computer, battery performance is a critical element of overall device performance.[0004]One of the most common form factors for batteries is a cylindrical shape, and one of the most common types of battery is a lithium ion battery. The three primary functional components of a lithium-ion battery are the anode, cathode and the electrolyte. The anode of a conventional lithium-ion cell is made from a carbon material (most commonly graphite). The cathode is a metal oxide which is generally one of three materials: a layered oxide (i.e. lithium cobalt...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): H01M10/50
CPCH01M2/105H01M2/1094H01M10/5004H01M10/5055H01M10/503H01M10/504H01M10/5046H01M10/501H01M10/653H01M10/6551H01M10/6555H01M10/643H01M10/62H01M10/613Y02E60/10H01M50/213H01M50/24H01M10/6552H01M10/6554H01M50/10H01M10/625
Inventor WAYNE, RYAN J.TAYLOR, JONATHANSMALC, MARTIN D.FISHMAN, ELLIOTT
Owner NEOGRAF SOLUTIONS LLC
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